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A visual reference to the components of Linspire, a full-featured, Linux-based operating system, this book demonstrates how Linspire 5.0 gives users all of the functionality of Windows or Mac OS at a fraction of the cost. Each set of step-by-step instructions is accompanied by a screen capture showing exactly where to click to accomplish a project. Tips and tricks that show the most efficient approaches for completing all varieties of tasks are provided throughout, and for users upgrading to the latest version of Linspire, instructions are provided on how to use the many new features. Also included with the book is a Linspire Live CD-Rom that allows users to test and enjoy the benefits of Linspire before committing to install it on a computer.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Eric Grebler has developed curricula and resource material on a wide range of technical topics including desktop publishing, graphics, XML, and operating systems. He is the author of Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac, Windows Fast and Easy, and Windows XP Media Center Edition. He lives in Toronto, Ontario.

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

This book is a follow-on to Eric Grebler's earlier work that described Linspire 4.x. But this is much more than a quick update with a few new screenshots. In "Linspire 5.0: The No-Nonsense Guide", Eric and the Mimosa Team have put together a new basic guide to using the very popular applications of this very popular Linux distro.

Just about every page has one or two screenshots, so the book is appealing visually. On the other hand, the wealth of screenshots has led to a (relative) paucity of text.

In particular, the process of installation in chapter 1, provides no information at all on what to do if things don't go as planned. The only reference to disk partitioning is a single paragraph on page 18, saying essentially "go and do a web search if you want to know about partitions. Unless a user gets lucky with his hardware, this isn't adequate.

Similarly, chapter 9, "Connecting to the Internet" tells you how to type in your PPP or PPPOE settings, but gives no information on how to troubleshoot a balky connection. Fine if all goes well, but no help if something doesn't work (there's a walk through of how to refresh a DHCP lease - which will do nothing if the problem is "no connection").

Installing and configuring are the most challenging tasks for new users. Users running applications will have a much smoother time, and in these chapters no troubleshooting is needed or given. Grebler walks through the use of KDE (including the pager or virtual desktop). He covers the different programs in the Open Office suite, and the two apps that Linspire donated to open source - the Lphoto and Lsongs clones of Apple's iPhoto and iTunes. A new user would find it straightforward to use these programs based on the information Eric presents.Read more ›

Another great book that takes the novice of Linux/Linspire step by step and easy to read on how to manuver through Linspire and Linux. This book is dedicated to the Linspire version of Linux and offers great ways to get around the application. I really want to move to linux and linspire and get rid of Windows XP completely... there are a few drawbacks to the Linspire system that are detailed in this book. Some multimedia cards are not supported as well as some wireless laptop cards but as I have noticed on a daily basis there are more and more drivers developed for windows based hardware and software.

I started using the Linspire 5.0 distro of the wonderful Linux computer operating system in late 2006. A few years later I upgraded to 6.0 because 5.0 was just too old for some of the machines I was using and was no longer being supported by the Linspire people anyway. I got this book about a year after I upgraded to vs. 6.0. To make a long story short: Linspire folded about 3-4 years ago. I still have the book though, and still use it, why? Linspire used the KDE graphical user interface desktop like a lot of other popular Linux distros. KDE also has a lot of software bundled with and compatible the desktop environment, so this book works quite well for them also even though it's out of date. It's kind of like using an old MS Windows XP handbook on Win7, it works most of the time since Win7 is just XP with more eye candy. Yup, it's a rather good reference book for Linux users; and there just aren't too many Linux How-tos around. If you're a Linux noob, you probably need this book.

Book arrived in good condition within timeframe given by seller. Basic, but easily understand due to many screenshots with arrows from the text to the appropriate place on the screen. Good for getting started, though does not cover more advanced topics.

This is a well written and informative book for the average user. It doesn't get into the technical details. It instructs you on the use of Linspire 5.0. It is what the beginner needs when coming from Windows.